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Kim Jong Nam Murder: Malaysia In Close Contact With OPCW

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is in close contact with the Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), particularly regarding the recent incident
involving the death of a North Korean national at Kuala Lumpur National Airport 2
(klia2).

According to Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement, the OPCW has provided the
Malaysian authority with some technical materials that were requested to assist
in its investigation.

“The OPCW has further indicated its commitment to provide further assistance
as required,” the statement said.

The ministry also said that the government would fully cooperate with the
OPCW and other international organisations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The toxic chemical ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate
or VX nerve agent, listed as a chemical weapon, was used in the murder of North
Korean Kim Chol, widely reported to be Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother
of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, on Feb 13.

It was reported that Kim Chol was at klia2 on Feb 13 to board a flight to
Macau when two women wiped his face with toxic liquid which was later identified
as ‘VX’ nerve agent.

Kim Chol sought help at a customer service counter in the airport and was
rushed to the Putrajaya Hospital but died on the way. He had arrived in Malaysia
on Feb 6.

Wisma Putra stressed that Malaysia was greatly concerned over the use of
the toxic chemical (nerve agent) listed in Schedulue 1 of Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical
Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC) as well as the Chemical Weapons
Convention Act 2005.

“Malaysia does not produce, stockpile, import, export or use any Schedule 1
toxic chemicals including VX and has complied with all its obligation under the
CWC,” it said.

The ministry strongly condemned the use of such a chemical weapon by anyone,
anywhere and under any circumstances.
— BERNAMA